xxxv. 17, where RRA “my dear life,”
is rendered τὴν μονογενῆ µου. ἀπέσ- ταλκεν. “hath sent as an ἀπόστολος”
(cf. Heb. iii. 1). An apostle is not simply nuntius, but nuntius vices mittentis ge- rens. Cf. Bab. Ber. 34, 2: ‘‘ Apostolus cujusvis est sicut ipse a quo deputatur” The perf. is used here because the in- fluence of the Incarnation is permanent. {yowpev, ingressive or inceptive aor. Cf. Luke xv. 24, 32; Rev. xx. 4) 5” ἵνα ζήσωμεν reconciles ἐφανερώθη ἡ ἀγάπη with ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη (i. 2). The Incar- nation manifested the love of God, and the love was manifested that we might get life. Eternal Life is not future but present: we get it here and now. Cf. John xvii. 3. Amiel: ‘‘ The eternal life is not the future life; it is life in harmony with the true order of things—life in God”.
Ver. 10. The love which proves us children of God is not native to our hearts. It is inspired by the amazing love of God manifested in the Incarna- tion—the infinite Sacrifice of His Son’s life and death. Aug.: ‘Non illum di- leximus prius: nam ad hoc nos dilexit, ut diligamus eum.” ἀπέστειλεν: the aor. is used here because the Incarnation is regarded as a distinct event, a historic landmark.
Having inculcated love, the Apostle indicates two incentives thereto: (1) God’s love for us imposes on us a moral obligation to love one another (11-16a); (2) lf we have love in our hearts, fear is cast out (16b-18).
Ver. 11. Here, as in John iii. 16, οὕτως may denote either the extent or the manner of God’s love—‘‘to such an ex- tent,” going such a length (cf. Rom. viii. 32); ‘‘in such a manner,” righteously, not by a facile amnesty but by a propi- tiation. ὀφείλομεν: see note on ii. 6. Noblesse oblige. If we are God’s chi'- dren, we must have our Father’s spirit. Cf. Matt. v. 44-48. Thus we requite His love. Aug.: “Petre, inquit, amas me? Et ille dixit: Amo. Pasce oves meas” (John xxi. 15-17).